BDA here to stay

March 12, 2010

Dear Sir,

I was recently at a function where I heard stalwarts of the UBP Jurassic Period condemn the BDA to failure because no new party had ever succeeded in Bermuda. There are some differences today and I for one hope that the Alliance not only succeeds but that they actually win the next election. There have been two attempts to form new Party's that I know of. The BDP of the early 1970s failed before it even got started but I really can't remember why. The NLP was a group of PLP MP's who were kicked out of the PLP. And both of these Party's were started when the UBP and even the PLP were fairly strong entities and, at the very least, neither of them were seen as not being worthy of a vote. The UBP was very well regarded by most and the PLP had no real track record and their adherents weren't going anywhere because there was no real reason to.

Today we have a party which has been started by a bunch of young bucks who left the UBP of their own volition because they wanted to try, as they say, A Better Way. They have been in existence for maybe five months and already the UBP and PLP stalwarts are scared out of their panties.

The Alliance has attracted almost 1,500 Facebook supporters, which is twice the number of either of the other Party's, and almost 400 paid up members and I challenge the UBP especially to tell us they can match that (I can assure you it can't be done truthfully!). The Alliance has attracted a young and diverse and educated following which is growing faster than even they thought possible. They have brought many, many Bermudians from the wilderness of not being included into a Party which actually wants them to participate in the process.

The biggest hits they've taken so far are that their MP's did not resign their seats (which they won under a UBP banner); their political leader is not in the House; and they are just going to split the UBP vote. On the first point, idealistically, they should have resigned. Practically speaking, it would have killed the opportunity and in the spirit of childish arguments, I don't recall the NLP dissidents nor any of the other MP's who crossed the floor, resigning their seats. On the second point, leadership comes in many forms and I am certain that Craig Cannonier can figure out how to direct the Alliance MPs from the gallery and, besides, if that's an example of leadership in the form of Ewart and Kimbo ... Craig, you are exactly where you should be.

On the third point, there isn't anyone in Bermuda who can tell anyone how the votes and the support will fall because of the Alliance. I know I can't. But remember that there hasn't been any viable alternative option for the soft underbelly of the PLP voters and I think that if the Alliance gains traction, there will be a ton of ex-UBP support and an even greater level of black support for a Party that doesn't base every decision on race and whose leaders are NOT driven by the twin pillars of egotism and self enrichment. Everybody has warts but the PLP is exactly what it is and the UBP is deader than a doornail and couldn't win another election in their wildest dreams. Bet you can't guess where my votes headed!

LET THE NIGHTMARE END

Pembroke

Numbers don't add up

March 13, 2010

Dear Sir,

Premier Dr. Brown's leadership of the PLP Government has been compared to the way the American government/politicians conduct their affairs and rightly so. Although Bermuda is literally but a in the Atlantic in comparison with America, when I look at what is going on here and the road we seem to be headed down it reminds me so much of the road America has travelled and the consequences they and the world are now suffering as a result of mismanagement and lack of foresight due to greed. I see a PLP Government who has increased our debt due to increased spending, borrowing, huge cost overruns and consulting fees, tourism but a shrinking shadow of years gone by, a construction industry that will soon slow down and here of late, top international business group requesting high level meetings. A mathematician I am not, but when I look at these things and then hear our Finance Minister say that she is optimistic about the next fiscal year 2010/2011, it just doesn't add up. I am praying for the future welfare of our island home.

SANDYS VOTER

The many for the few

March 13, 2010

Dear Sir,

Bermuda, I don't know about you, but I am so tired of party politics. Recently Mr. Dale Butler voiced the concerns of his constituents, but with all the discontentment of the people echoing around the island, through letters to the editor and on talk radio, the vast majority of the PLP Government elected by the people to serve them remain silent.

Clearly they are putting party before people and party before country by not speaking up for the people that elected them.

It is sometimes a noble thing to do, to sacrifice the few for the many, but to sacrifice the many for the few is dishonourable, disgraceful and an injustice. I am so disappointed and annoyed with this PLP Government. I regret voting for you and you can kiss my vote goodbye next time around. Even after Dr. Brown leaves, I will not support the present members this PLP party, because you stood by and said nothing.

I would rather a good independent that would represent me and feel accountable to me for my vote.

VOTER

Sandys

Taking from the future

March 23, 2010

Dear Sir,

It makes me feel sad when I hear people saying how kind and thoughtful the Brown Government is for giving them so much; especially the elderly.

The trouble is that it isn;t theirs to give! It belongs to us all.

It's like Grandpa robbing the family piggy bank and giving the money to the children to spend on candy. The cupboard is bare, no money is left for the family necessities but the kids think that Grandpa is a real sweetie!

Just a few thoughts:

HIP with Future Care will cost me $300/month (up from $260) but if my brother joins when he becomes 65 next year, it will cost him double, $600/month. Is that fair?

Doctors' office visits will be unlimited! Wow, is that ever an invitation to abuse!

I pay no Land Tax for my house which is clear of mortgage. But here is the real doozie: I pay no car registration fee ($643) and I am retired and have a Class D car.

Mr. Richie Rich from Tucker's Town turned 65 last birthday and he pays NO registration fee on his Class H car ($1,476!)

Old Mrs. Jones who still works past 65 to help her family is similarly relieved of a registration fee on her little old Class A car of $268.

Because the three of us are over 65 years old, one gets a 'favour' of $268, one $643, and the other $1,476. How equitable is that?

Why not allow a 70 percent discount on Class A, graded to say 20 percent on Class H for "oldsters"? Give discounts where they are warranted, but not FREE.

UNCOMMON SENSE

St. George's

Was money well spent?

March 13, 2010

Dear Sir,

We were very disturbed to learn last month that Bermuda's Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown spent $37,000 for a trip to India. He indicated the trip would pay off with movies (possibly) being made in Bermuda while civil servants might be flown to India for several months for training – compliments of the Indian Government.

With this in mind, we wondered how many people might see an advertisement in a newspaper costing $37,000. And so we contacted the Globe & Mail that has a national circulation of approximately 330,000 newspapers on Saturdays and 412,000 on a weekday. That means an advertisement 3.53"w x 8" h – could be placed 11 times on a Wednesday and Saturday and approximately 8.5 million people might be enticed to the island.

Think about that number – and then you decide if the money was better spent going to India or placing an advert in the Globe & Mail?

It is also important to note:

There was a story and photo in the Globe & Mail on Thursday, February 25, 2010:

"The Business picture – India loses grip on deficit

"Travellers cling to an overcrowded train Tuesday in India, where the Government plans $9 billion (US) of rail infrastructure spending. Yesterday, India's fiscal deficit was projected to reach a 16-year-high of 6.8 percent of gross domestic product in 2009-2010. The gap has been met through heavy borrowing in the market. A top Government panel has warned this is unsustainable and that the deficit may be cut through managing spending, Kirhna Murari Kishan/Reuters

Is this how the movers and shakers get things to happen or is this how governments get into trouble? Many millions in India go to bed hungry every day and homeless people in Bermuda live in cars and tent shelters, while some of our leaders travel first class. Unfortunately the loyal supporters have been to led to believe there will be a better tomorrow, but in reality their future could be equated to the workers in Greece, who are paying for the mistakes of their leaders who have already announced: wage freezes, bonus cuts, tax crackdowns and pension reforms over the past month, plus new measures, which the government has not yet confirmed but are expected to be announced next week, include an increase of two percentage points in the 19 percent value-added tax, and higher fuel prices etc.

SAUNDRA AND TOPPY COWEN

Kelowna, British Columbia

Disgusted with directors

March 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

As a shareholder of the Bank of Butterfield I am absolutely disgusted with the behaviour of the Bank Board and its senior executive employees.

The Bank reported record income of $145.9 million for the year 2007, and now two years and a bit later we are told that our investment is worth next to nothing and that the dividends have been cancelled. What happened in the intervening two years?

The Chairman of the Board should answer the following ten questions:

1. When the Bank offered preference shares last year (at an outrageous rate) we were told that everything was fine, and that the Board was simply complying with new regulations of the BMA. Was there another reason for doing that and was it a lie? And where was the BMA in all of this?

2. Why did the Bank go from record profits in the year 2007 to being broke in March 2010? What happened and why?

3. A few years the Enron Scandal broke in the United States and caused a huge stir. Enron was less than one percent of the US stock exchange. Butterfield is almost 50 percent of the Bermuda stock exchange. Why does the Chairman continue to treat the shareholders, employees and the public as a pack of fools?

4. Most members of the Board were missing at the March 2009 shareholder meeting, as were senior members of the executive. Where were they and should they not have been present? Were their directors' fees increased in 2008? Why did the CEO not say a word?

5. It has been stated that many of the senior executive management retired. Did they retire or were they fired? If they were fired why did the Chairman not say so in his statement?

6. In departing, did they receive any compensation for destroying our investment? If so, how much?

7. Did senior executive management or Board members sell any shares over the past year? If so, how many and who did the selling?

8. Why were the current shareholders ignored when CIBC and Carlyle Group became major shareholders? Should they not have had a say in the new arrangements especially as their shareholding has now been diluted?

9. How many options were exercised by senior management during the past two years?

10. Given the significant deterioration of the Bank's finances, should not the chairman submit his resignation, together with some culpable board members?

I am sure I have missed out other important points but the above ten are a start. I would like to ask the Chairman and the Board not to treat us shareholders like a bunch of naughty children, or fools, and to end their evasions, falsehoods, and pompous behaviour.

ANGRY SHAREHOLDER

Devonshire

We want better TV

March 13, 2010

Dear Sir,

I am fed up with the atrocious picture quality which CableVision provides.

Whilst I'm not specifically referring to the call center as in my opinion the staff provide a polite and reliable service, I refer more to the picture quality on all channels which is so poor, it is difficult to see where our monthly subscription goes. Sometimes, watching the sports channels, it's hard to believe that we are in the year 2010.

I understand the pitfalls an Island can suffer from – remote access via satellite etc, but like many others, I pay over $200 per month, which is an astounding amount of money to pay for a sub-standard picture quality (for example, Direct TV in the US costs around $50).

Isn't it about time that we the paying customer started to enjoy a better picture quality for our money? Is it too much to ask for an HD picture that is, well, High Definition, especially when the premium for these channels is already excessive? Why is the format of the transmitted picture 4:3 when it should be 16:9, like every other broadcaster which provides HD TV?

If anyone else reading this feels as I do, please go to the Facebook Group "We want a better picture, Cablevision" and sign up. Once I get enough members, I will forward to CableVision to get some answers and will revert through the Royal Gazette.

MR. SILVA

Pembroke

Stop pointing fingers

March 23, 2010

Dear Sir,

I am truly unimpressed by the lack of confidence shown towards the "external security agency" by Shadow Public Safety Minister.

As one of the supervisors of the "external security agency" known as Bermuda Protection Services, where a teen was shot well off of the event area of Bermuda College, I feel obliged to defend and acknowledge the well established team of security officers who where on hand.

To answer the Shadow Minister's questions, yes metal detectors and personal searches were implemented and even the event organisers were searched for weapons. In an event that is known to hold up to 300 persons, security was well prepared and yes, Mr. Shadow Minister, there was by legal stipulations more than enough security at the event.

I find it very disturbing that people would often blame security for another man's actions. And furthermore, find it more disturbing after putting security officers through a process of licensing and training that an individual of the shadow ministers stature would even question security.

Please be advised that security was hired for the event. Bermuda College have their own security to tend to the safety of the property and what happens off the site of such events. As they say it only takes one time for something to happen before questions arise. But allow me to clarify since the conception of Bermuda Protection Services providing security for the Bermuda College student council events there have been no incidents as yet, and we hope and pray that with the continuation of these events for our youth there will not be any. So let's not blame security for we are the peacekeepers (note not bouncers).

Let's focus on stopping the violence instead of blaming the wrong people, and pointing fingers. The bottom line is, as a security officer who was on duty at the event, the response of the attending patrons was that of feeling safe and secure whilst enjoying their time amongst their peers.

EARL BASDEN

Devonshire